gape
to stare with open mouth, as in wonder.
to open the mouth wide involuntarily, as the result of hunger, sleepiness, or absorbed attention.
to open as a gap; split or become open wide.
a wide opening; gap; breach.
an act or instance of gaping.
a stare, as in astonishment or with the mouth wide open.
a yawn.
Zoology. the width of the open mouth.
Origin of gape
1synonym study For gape
Other words for gape
Other words from gape
- gap·ing·ly, adverb
- sub·gape, verb (used without object), sub·gaped, sub·gap·ing.
- un·gap·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use gape in a sentence
She trekked across the country holding Sally Ride Science Fairs and talking about her adventures while little mouths gaped in awe.
Lynn Sherr: Sally Ride’s Heroic and Trailblazing Life as an Astronaut | Lynn Sherr | July 24, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTA nation gaped on as she fumbled for words, diabolically mixed metaphors and lay her head on the desk in outrage.
Holbrooke would and could do what others merely gaped at—accomplish meaningful goals and great goals.
In the walls of the ravines black holes gaped, for caves 303 were almost as numerous as springs.
A Virginia Scout | Hugh PendexterThey chatted while the natives gaped until the jiggly, two-wheeled carts clattered toward them.
The Argus Pheasant | John Charles Beecham
He stared at her—'gaped', she told him some time afterwards.
Trent's Last Case | E.C. (Edmund Clerihew) BentleyThe porch of that house was part covered with vines, but they was kind of gaped apart at one corner.
Danny's Own Story | Don MarquisAt last Little Chicken lifted his head, opened his beak, and gaped widely.
Freckles | Gene Stratton-Porter
British Dictionary definitions for gape
/ (ɡeɪp) /
to stare in wonder or amazement, esp with the mouth open
to open the mouth wide, esp involuntarily, as in yawning or hunger
to be or become wide open: the crater gaped under his feet
the act of gaping
a wide opening; breach
the width of the widely opened mouth of a vertebrate
a stare or expression of astonishment
Origin of gape
1- See also gapes
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse